Infant Baptism - Is it theological or exegetical?

[Ramesh Deosarran]

Infant Baptism

There are different opinions on infant baptism. Martin Luther fought two battles. He fought against the Roman Catholic on the right and the Anabaptist on the left. The Anabaptist said Luther did not break from the Roman Catholic Church. They said infants should not be baptized because they cannot make that choice. Luther responded by asking the question: How old does one have to be before he can be baptized? The Anabaptist had no answer to this question. Luther said that if one has to be a certain age then salvation is only by knowledge.

Question: Is this issue settled exegetically or theologically?

[John Kennedy]

Infant Baptism



Question: Is this issue settled exegetically or theologically?


You may need a third option. From where I sit, using the word 'settled' anywhere in the neighborhood of the issue of 'infant baptism' may be a classic example of wishful thinking.

Part of the problem is that one side on the issue tends to operate with a 'take no prisoners' mentality. I don't know of any proponents of infant baptism who attack the validity of believers baptism. Unfortunately the same can't be said of many on the other side. From their point of view it's strictly BBO (believers baptism only).

I appreciate the Nazarene stand of accepting both. Unfortunately, it's common knowledge that, among many in the church, that position is honored more in the breach than in the observance.

[Ryan Scott]

I would say that infant baptism is a great thing, but whether a child is baptized or not, they are still included among those for whom Jesus died. Infant baptism is a faith commitment to that fact, but it doesn't change the reality.

[Mike Schutz]

Well, with those parameters, it is a theological question - not an exegetical one. That is, unless you choose to label the argument "exegetical" that Luther and Wesley make that the practice is implied in Scripture and that Scripture does not prohibit it.

[Randy Wise]

I believe it is in error to tie infant baptism to salvation or lack of to damnation in regard to the young. I don't believe its wrong for parents to ask Jesus to bless their children, Luke 18:15–16, which is what "I" see in infant baptism. I was baptized as a infant and I don't remember the event.:) I do remember asking Jesus into my heart, which is a result of my knowledge of the truth that preceded my faith in Jesus. Romans 10:14

Randy

[Dennis M. Scott]

I would say that infant baptism is a great thing, but whether a child is baptized or not, they are still included among those for whom Jesus died. Infant baptism is a faith commitment to that fact, but it doesn't change the reality.

I also like the way Randy has expressed reasons for not tying it to salvation. Part of the "what happens?" question remains a mystery. I am reminded of a story some of the details of which I admit I am unable to document, but which I believe to be true. Joan - not her real name - served for several years as editor of the published journal of the Evangelistic Association of New England, the leading interdenominational arm of the evangelical churches here - now renamed "Vision New England." She had a not-yet-believer friend whom she had successfully invited to attend a number of churchy events. Joan continued to intercede for her friend, who was clearly searching for meaning in her life. At one point, her friend had decided to identify with a non-Christian group that encouraged people to offer themselves to beings of the spiritual world. Her friend invited Joan to attend a gathering where that ceremony was to take place. Joan went, for a variety of reasons: concern for her friend, a sense of obligation because her friend had accepted her invitation to church, and partly of curiosity. At the ceremony, twenty-eight new individuals offered themselves to whatever beings of the spiritual kingdom might be interested. This is likely a scary concept to most reading this post, as it was to Joan. Fourteen of the group were clearly at least temporarily overtaken by either emotion, or some entity. They convulsed, fell over, were entranced, and demonstrated behavior Joan later chose to not describe. In Joan's evaluation, they behaved like they had some sort of encounter with something otherworldly. Following the ceremony, all twenty-eight seemed to return to a degree of normalcy.

Being of a journalist's inquiring mind, Joan later requested and obtained permission to interview almost all the twenty-eight people. One of the things that interested her was that exactly half the group had not had any experience like the rest. Why not? What she found was that of the twenty-eight, half had some sort of church background, and had been either baptized or dedicated as children. The fourteen who had experienced the spiritual phenomenon had no such Christian initiation rite.

That story may not "prove" anything, and certainly doesn't solve any debate regarding infant baptism versus dedication. The account absolutely is not scripture. I offer it here in response to the "Does anything happen?" inquiry. Perhaps nothing happens. I don't believe Joan is lying. Coincidence? Maybe. Guarantee? I would rather say mystery. Saving grace? Not to my understanding. Protecting grace? Prevenient grace? Call it what you will, but since I heard that story for every baby I have baptized and/or dedicated, I have prayed for that kind of grace. I've sorta decided to come out in favor of God's grace for us all.

[Ryan Scott]

Maybe didn't present myself well, or maybe I did and you just disagree. I believe Christ died for all and that it is a finished action. I believe every person is included among those for whom Christ died from the moment they are born. In their life, they have the option to live contrary to that fact and thus "opt out" of God's salvation.

I don't think infant baptism exempts the child from a life of Christian faith, but it does not require any more of them than it does of any other Christian - to live in right relationship to God. Presumably, if one has their children baptized, they will continue to teach them and at some point they children will publicly affirm their baptism and adopt their parent's faith as their own.

I don't even like to use this language in this way, but I don't think a child automatically becomes unsaved once they realize they are a sinner.

Although, as I said previously, I wouldn't want to put "salvific" activity on the act of baptism as I believe this is the case whether a child is baptized or not. It merely represents this and serves as an act of faith by the parents on behalf of the child.

[Susan Unger]

Being of a journalist's inquiring mind, Joan later requested and obtained permission to interview almost all the twenty-eight people. One of the things that interested her was that exactly half the group had not had any experience like the rest. Why not? What she found was that of the twenty-eight, half had some sort of church background, and had been either baptized or dedicated as children. The fourteen who had experienced the spiritual phenomenon had no such Christian initiation rite.

That story may not "prove" anything, and certainly doesn't solve any debate regarding infant baptism versus dedication. The account absolutely is not scripture. I offer it here in response to the "Does anything happen?" inquiry. Perhaps nothing happens. I don't believe Joan is lying. Coincidence? Maybe. Guarantee? I would rather say mystery. Saving grace? Not to my understanding. Protecting grace? Prevenient grace? Call it what you will, but since I heard that story for every baby I have baptized and/or dedicated, I have prayed for that kind of grace. I've sorta decided to come out in favor of God's grace for us all.

That is quite fascinating. It will give me something to think about.

[Ramesh Deosarran]

Presumably, if one has their children baptized, they will continue to teach them and at some point they children will publicly affirm their baptism and adopt their parent's faith as their own.

I think this is a reasonable presumption. It is even possible as long as they are dependant and ride with us to church. I just wonder how many parents follow through with this commitment. Besides, some pastors ask the congregation to stand with the parents and pledge commitment.

Is there a slight failure on these two counts?

[Charles W Christian]

I think this is a reasonable presumption. It is even possible as long as they are dependant and ride with us to church. I just wonder how many parents follow through with this commitment. Besides, some pastors ask the congregation to stand with the parents and pledge commitment.

Is there a slight failure on these two counts?

Ramesh -
I think precisely the difficulties that arise from infant baptisms in the Church of the Nazarene address the issues you mention.

1) Often we do not prepare the parents of infants who are being baptized. We just schedule it. Also, the ancient model (still used in Catholic and many Protestant settings) of having a "sponsor" (godparents, etc.) for the child and family could be utilized to assist in loving accountability and preparation.

2) A confirmation process in the Church of the Nazarene is sorely needed! I'd love to join with someone who has more influence at the pub. house than I do to write a real confirmation kind of curriculum for Nazarene kids. That way, those who have never been baptized as infants can do catechism leading toward believer's baptism, and those who were baptized as infants can have a confirmation type curriculum that they can use. THEN, on those Sundays when their friends are baptized, they (those baptized as infants) can also have a time of public affirmation of their own (infant) baptisms!

Thanks,
Charles

[Susan Unger]

Ramesh -
I think precisely the difficulties that arise from infant baptisms in the Church of the Nazarene address the issues you mention.

1) Often we do not prepare the parents of infants who are being baptized. We just schedule it. Also, the ancient model (still used in Catholic and many Protestant settings) of having a "sponsor" (godparents, etc.) for the child and family could be utilized to assist in loving accountability and preparation.

2) A confirmation process in the Church of the Nazarene is sorely needed! I'd love to join with someone who has more influence at the pub. house than I do to write a real confirmation kind of curriculum for Nazarene kids. That way, those who have never been baptized as infants can do catechism leading toward believer's baptism, and those who were baptized as infants can have a confirmation type curriculum that they can use. THEN, on those Sundays when their friends are baptized, they (those baptized as infants) can also have a time of public affirmation of their own (infant) baptisms!

Thanks,
Charles

Sounds good to me. This, plus what Chrystal and Meghan had to say about their children's baptisms make it sound like it really is a blessing and not just something dry and formal like my childhood pastor made it into. Thanks all!